The Best Man for the Job

"I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" 1 Timothy 2:8.

Ever consider how much God knew and trusted Joseph to be the step-father of His Son on earth?

In the account of how Joseph became aware of his betroth's pregnancy, it says he thought about these things. At one point he even contemplated a private divorce. This man was hurting.

While their marriage was likely arranged, at some point, he must have loved this girl, even now pregnant with someone else's child. We can assume the situation estranged them from their families. It is possible they didn't have a big wedding party or feast among family and friends. Even though they hadn't been sexually intimate, with the exception of her cousin Elizabeth, it would be normal that no one else believed them.

God knew something about Joseph that no one else knew and He chose the man who would provide the early home for the baby Jesus. As Jesus grew into a young man, Mary and Joseph loved Him as their son. So much so, there came a day when Jesus had to remind them both of who He was and why He came. (Luke 2:41-49)

As little as we're told about him, though with a major roll to play, Joseph is easily overlooked in the Christmas story. There was no way around it, Mary needed a Husband. And with the most important infant to be born into the world on the way, she needed a strong Spiritual leader, and he had to be a man who would trust in God through the tough times. And here we see God's knowledge of men's hearts as He Mary Joseph. God knew Joesph's heart as well as He knew Mary's heart.

Matthew 1:20 says Joseph was thinking about the problem of the pregnancy and certainly his meditation included prayers for help, asking God what he's to do about Mary. His answer came through the dream appearance of the angel sent to tell him not to fear marriage to Mary.

The Scriptures says Joseph when he found out about the baby, he thought about quietly separating from Mary but the angel confirmed Mary's words of how she is pregnant. Joseph's response is a beautiful picture of a godly man trusting his God. He must have been looking for the Messiah and now he learns he's to be part of the fulfillment of prophecy.

And as Mary was obedient, Joseph also believed God and did all he was told.

God knew Joesph was the Best Man for the job

What an example of trust and obedience in times when a stand against the norm is needed.

Guest Post by Grant Norsworthy: Do I believe In Jesus?

Do I believe in Jesus?

Originally Posted on November 6, 2014 @http://grantnorsworthy.wordpress.com/     This post reprinted by permission

Christians very easily say that they believe in Jesus. We might comfortably accept that the historical account – the recorded stories about Jesus – are true. We consider the lessons that Jesus taught to be correct, good and worthwhile and even do our best to live by them. Our belief probably inspires us to affiliate ourselves with Christianity in some way – probably through membership of a local Christian Church congregation. But is this what it means to truly believe in Jesus?

Within the common context and definition of the word “believe, it’s easy to see why John 3:16 is the Christian Church’s favorite and most memorized verse. If you’re reading this, you probably know it by heart, but I’ll quote it anyway:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

For many years of my church-raised life, John 3:16 was the only verse I had memorized from the Bible. That is still the case for many Christians. It seems that many hold on to this single verse from scripture as an assurance that, because I believe in Jesus, I am saved.

But there are tough questions that need to be asked:

1. Is my belief truly grounded in a living, vital intimacy with the risen Jesus Himself?
2. Or do I just accept as true the historical accounts about Him?
3. Or is my belief merely an intellectual agreement with His teachings?
4. Or perhaps my belief is based only on my personal decision to be connected with the religious organization that recognizes Him as it’s most important historical character?

Jesus said to her [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

The belief that Jesus describes and calls His followers to goes far beyond our common vernacular and understanding of what it means to believe. Belief in Jesus requires committed “oneness” with Him and nothing else. Oneness with Him will incorporate acceptance of the historical record, agreement that His teachings are true and an active connection with The Church. But true belief in Jesus the Christ must not be limited to or based on any of these lesser things.

In the words of Oswald Chambers from today’s My Utmost For His Highest:

“To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.

Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, “Do you believe this?” I find that faith is as natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier.” 

Read the whole Ozzie Chambers piece here.

“Our temptation is to look eagerly for the minimum that will be accepted.” C.S.Lewis

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Profile taken from Grant's webpage (slightly modified)

Grant Norsworthy & Son
Photo used by permission

Grant Norsworthy is an engaging and unique speaker with a Grammy® nomination and Dove Award who also loves to sing songs. No matter what the audience’s age or background, Grant Norsworthy is sure to connect and make a difference.

As the bassist with top CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) bands such as PC3 (Paul Colman Trio) and Sonicflood and as a solo artist, Grant Norsworthy’s musical achievements are notable. In the process of producing a body of critically acclaimed and much-loved music, he has gathered a Grammy® nomination and a Dove Award.

Grant’s teachings and thoughts often find their way into written form, both in blogging and in published magazines. Grant is currently working on his first book.

Visit http://grantnorsworthy.wordpress.com/ for Grant's blogging.

Also @ his official website http://www.grantnorsworthy.com/ 

Strange Occurances

Philippians 2: 4; And look out for each other's interests, and not for your own interests.

In today's public and social areas, kindness seems a strange occurrence. When it does show itself, sometimes the recipient is surprised and may not know how to respond correctly. There are times when unselfishness is rudely degraded and the giver scorned, as a letting another driver coming from an on-ramp onto the busy street or highway. The recipient of your yielding can return a rude gesture or never acknowledge your sacrifice at all. 

This failure of courtesy on another's part should never deter a Christian from being kind to others. It is the easiest form of blessing and the simplest form of imitation of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There is special feeling you can get from expressing kindness to people who do not expect it.

• Pick up something someone has dropped. (Servant) 
• Hand someone pocket change. (Giving) 
• Open doors. (Courtesy) 
• Move out of the way, or leave space for them in a crowded area.            (Unselfishness) 
• Smile on a rainy day. (Encouragement)
• Surprise with respect those who expecting rudeness, selfishness, greed, or coldness. (Christ-likeness)

Because all born again Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them, (John 14:16), manifesting God's love should come naturally. The fruit of the Spirit, (Gal 5:22,23), is a single product of God's changing an old flesh to a new creature,(2 Cor 5:17). 

As much as possible, try to walk through your day as Jesus walked through Israel in His days on earth. He blessed the unloved and ignored. He was kind to those never thanked Him, and many who treated Him dishonorably. 

• Look for ways to bless with simple kindness. 
• Look for ways to imitate Christ.

Jesus was the greatest example of humbly blessing the ones who didn't love Him in return. 

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were 

yet sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8.